Ticket-delivery mechanism



March 11, 1930. L. SCHER TICKET DEILIIVERY MECHANISM Filed June -25,v1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 11,1930. L. SCHER TICKET DELIVERY MECHANISMFiledjune 25, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 11, 1930. 1.. SCHER TICKETDELIVERY MECHANISM Filed June 25, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 11, 1930.1.. SCHER TICKET DELIVERY MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 25, 1927[Zn/52227221" Lauz's, 501152" March 11, 1930. L. SCHER 1,750,196

TICKET DELIVERY MECHANISM Filed June 25, 1927 e Sheets-Sheet 5 March11,1930. Q sc 1,750,196

TICKET DELIVERY MECHANISM Filed June 25, 192'? Sheets'$heet 6 PatentedMar. 11, 1930 res PATENT OFFICE norrIs sci-inn, or CLEVELAND, OHIOTICKET-DELIVERY mnonnmsm.

" p Application filed me 25,

My invention relates to improvements in ticket delivery mechanism, andhas for its object the provision of co-operating means for accuratelydelivering and registering one or a plurality of tickets of the same orof different character; such meansto be of extreme. simplicity, accuracyof'operation, and with minimum liability to impairment by wear, or toget out of-order.

There ay be associated with my improved that the ticket deliverysections are identical .in construction and preferably those of a groupare operated by a common motor device which is constantly driven duringthe ticket selling periods, so that any section is potentially ready forthe delivery of its class of tickets from. previously printed and,prepared strips. 9

Each section is equipped with aplurality of keys which control in commona masterkey that is adapted to set the delivery mecha- I nism intooperation and to check it after one complete cycle. The number ofcoupons of i any instantly delivered ticket strip is regulated by theparticular operators keydepressed in actuating the master-key. Thedelivery mechanism, per se, is operated upon the restoring movement ofits parts to the initial position thereof, while a counter is,pr'ovidedto register the total sales.

The features of my improvement may best be explained, together with theoperation of the mechanism and the advantages thereof by makingreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of one section of my improved ticket issuingmechanism shown in endwlevation, partially broken away and in dottedlines indicating the principal members intheir inoperative or startingposition.

Fig. 2 is, a rear view thereof, partially herein set forth with this1927: Serial No. 201,525;

one section,

F g. 3 is a similar view thereof from the front,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of two sections,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the principal members of onesection in side elevation, whereby the operation may more readilyv beexplained,

Fig. 6 is a. fragmentary view of the keyoperating and releasingmechanism,

Fig. 6, v

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the ticket wheel and actuating ratchetmechanism,

Fig, 9 is a fragment showing the ticket wheel shaft with its coactingmembers,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view ofthe ticket cutting means, t

, Fig. 11 is a detail to'illustrate the starting means, and

Fig. 12 is a portion of the perforated ticket strip.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings I have employed the samecharacter of reference to indicate similar parts.

My improved ticket delivery mechanism preferably is constructed with aplurality of identical related sect ions primarily designed for theissue of different classes of tickets;

' each section being equipped to issue and to keep total count of one ora plurality of the particular class of tickets, up to any desired orpredetermined number. The more common requirement, however, isfor amecha nism which will rapidly deliver any number of tickets up to andincluding five such tickets or coupons, and my improved mechanism ispreferred capacity.

Referring first to Figures 4 and 5, it will be seen that a plurality ofidentical ticket delivery sections are disposed in alinement (two ofwhich are shown) for the convenient operation of theticket seller or,sellers, and

.' for the purpose of issuing different classes of tickets that areautomatically withdrawn and severed from individual coils of ticketstrips,

respectively. Thus, tickets for adults and for cliildren may be issuedby the two sections, respectively, indicated in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on line 77, H

in strips containing from one to five such ticket coupons. The totalsrespectively will be registered upon the counting devices as the salesare made. The lengths of such strips are governed by the depression ofthe numbered keys corresponding with the number of ticket couponsrequired from time to time for each sale.

The gear a upon the left is driven by a pinion a and motor a, as shownin Fig. 2, or by any suitable motor device. Interposed gearing a servescontinuously to rotate shaft I)" .extending through all of theassociated sections of the group, whether one or a dozen such sections,while gearing a. rotates the respective shafts b of each section incounter-clockwise direction as long as the motor is connected incircuit.

The co-operation of the sections, resulting in a material saving of timein the issue of tickets, may be explained with respect to the I amadvised, while filling a need at numerous places.

Each section is rendered potentially and almost instantly operative bymeans of duplicated ratchet-toothed gears I) mounted upon shaft 6,respectively opposing the mutilated ratchet-toothed gears 12individually actuating shaft 0 of the corresponding section, when throwninto mesh with gear I). This latter is afforded a slight relativemovement at the end of arm b which is spring actuated below its ivotalshaft I) against the stop If. This exible mounting affords sufficientplay to obtain meshing engagement between the gears b, b", when thelatter is slightly rotated out of the inoperative position shown in Fig.5.

Driven shaft 0 mounts the controlling cam 0, approximately of triangularform from one rounded corner thereof. Adjacent to said cam is theescapement-like member d,

which is adapted to initiate the rotation of shaft 0 and to check it, inco-operation with other means to be described, upon the completion ofone revolution. This will occur with the depression of any ticket key,1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

' These keys, necessarily, are operated, and reference may be made toFigs. 5 and 6 for explaining their interrelation. These are arranged inbanks of any desired alternatively number, but semi-decimal relation offive such keys is most common and desirable from practical andmechanical considerations. The stems 1, 2, etc. are provided withlateral shoulders 1, .2, etc., in normal alinement immediately above thecommon spring detent e pivoted at e and inwardly actuated by coiledspring. 6. The terminals 1*, 2*, etc. of said keys are presented towardthe pivoted actuating plate f, having an extension f bearing upon thetop of the masterkey 9, opposite the pivotal mounting f. a

It will be observed that the shoulder 2 is engaged by detent a, Fig. 6,since it is assumed that key 2 ,was last depressed, hence its terminal2* is in a depressed position below the other terminals. In order torelease the key last depressed, its shoulder as 1", 2", etc. will bedisengaged by the detent just as the shoulder of the key next depressedpasses beyond and outwardly actuates the detent, so that normally onlyone key is held in the depressed position indicated for key 2. However,in order to release the keys, if accidentally depressed in common'andretained by the detent, I have provided the releasing link 6 extendingexteriorly of the casing 12. and connected intermediately of saiddetent. Upon retracting this link and actuating the detent against itsspring, any depressed key or keys may manually be restored by theirindividual springs it provided therefor in the mounting h".

\Vhen any key, as 2, is depressed, its shoulder first actuates thedetent e and the key last depressed automatically is restored to normalposition, while its terminal 2* depresses the actuating plate f and itsextension bearing upon master-key g. The function of this member maybest be understood by referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 11, which show it inits detaining position, but the dotted line position, Fig. 11, disclosesthe starting function of the master-key. Thus, the terminal g, angularlyextending from the master-key, first releases the arm of escapementmembend', and the bottom 9 of said master-key engages and initiates therotation of escapement member d mounted on shaft 0, as the master-key isfully depressed to the dotted line position, Fig. 11.

The partial rotation of shaft 0 immediately rotates mutilated gear b,turning in a clockwise direction, into meshing engagement with thenormally rotated driving gear 5 and one complete revolution of shaft 0and the members mounted thereon will occur. Thereby cam 0 is rotatedbeneath the roller lot z" of bell-crank lever 2' which is pivoted upon.of the are shaped terminal i. The path of movement of the stop 2' isbeneath the cutaway-portions of the key stems to the left of theiractuating terminals 1*, 2*, etc. Howevernthe lower shouldered portion,as 2, Fig. 6, of any key. in its depressed position ,will normallyextend into the path of stop 2". Consequently, as member 2' swingssharply toward the right when released by cam o, the stop-1i will bearrested by key 2 through its depressed shouldered portion 2". v

As the are i is swung toward the right with member 2', the gear is uponshaft y' ofthe ticket feeding mechanism at the right, will turn thepinion k backward through an are represented by six of the gear teeth,

. together with the pawl lb coacting with the shaft 7'. Assuming thedepression of key 2,.

five-toothed ratchet k, mounted to rotate the movement of these partswill be checked by its shouldered portion 2 when engaged by the stop ialthough the plane face of the rotating'cam 0 otherwise would permit thesaid shaft intermittently, the ticket-deliv-f ery roll 1" havingperipheral ribs j",of which there are five, the counter-gear 7' and thedetent-ratchet j, having five faces to correspond with the operativepositions of'the ratchet wheel is and the ticket-delivery roll 9'.Counter-gear or pinion 7' is connected by a driving chain m to actuatethe coun- (er-mechanism m, the ratio being two to one for accommodatingthe mechanism to decimal actuation of the counter. There is associatedwith the detent-ratchet j, a springpressed. arm 7' adapted slightly toretard the rotation of shaft 7' and prevent its reverse ac tuation, aswill be noted from Fig. 5.

The ticket strip n, Fig. 12-, is provided with oblong openings n spacedthe distance spanned by the adjacent ribs j on theticketdelivery roll j,so that accuracy in delivering the required-number of ticket couponstherefrom is positively insured. A roll or coiled length of this ticketstrip having been placed in the receptacle n", the end of said strip isinserted in the guide a and adjusted upon the roll j so that theopenings will register with the ribs 7" said roll being turned until theend'of the ticket lies against the depressed blade 0 of the cuttingmechanism at the lower portion of the delivery chuten.

Reverting now to the operation of the ticket-delivery mechanism, it maybe assumed that the controlling cam a has been rotated so that its planeface 0 has passed beneath the terminal roller 11' and its curved face 0is brought into engagement with the roller to effect the reversemovementof member 71 and its associated parts spring. Thereby, the toothed are2' is actuated toward the left from its detained position correspondingto key 2 and pawl which has slightly overthrown the second tooth, ascompared with its normal dotted against thetensioningline'positio'nfFig. 5, will pickup the ratchet ,k and advanceit, together with the members mounted upon actuated shaft j, through anarc corresponding to two of the ratchet teeth, while the delivery roll jwill be correspondingly advancedto extend two ticket coupons beyond thecutting mechanism.

As best shown in Fig. 1, there is provided a spring-pressed member alightly tensioned to bear upon the plane face of the co-acting cam uponshaft 0 when the parts are in normal position ready to be actuated asabove described. This light pressure serves to bring the shaft and themembers thereon to rest after each rotation, in the starting or fulllineposition of Fig. 5, from which certain parts'are omitted for thepurpose'of more. clearly indicating the essential features."

This member. in additiomserves to reposition shaft 0 and the partsthereon, in the event that a key is held in its fully depressed posi- 1tion by the operator, and member d" (Fig. 11) first engages thedepressed terminal 9' of the master-key in abnormal stopping position,lacking a few degrees rotation to complete the cycle, as previouslyexplained.

Meantime, the cutting blade "0 has been elevated to permit the extensionof the ticket strip n into the delivery chute n past the severingposition, through the action of spring 0 when released bythe cam 0"acting against the pivoted arm 0 and through the ball-bearing link 0 aswill be apparent upon referring to Fig. 1. The cutting blade 0 iscentrally notched to clear the delivery roll y'f, as shown in Fig. 10,and it is pivoted upon the right at 0 to insure a shearing action of itsedge when depressed from the dotted line position against the ticketstrip 12, and cuttin edge 0", to the full line position, by the linfi 0.This is efiected by the concurrent rotation of cam 0" ,withcam 8: duringthe period of engagement of its curved face 0 with roller 2', giving asufficient interval for a shearing cut, when twoticket'coupons will bedetached'within the chute 92, under the conditions assumed, in position'to be withdrawn by the purchaser. 'The counter, meantime, has registeredthe sale of two tickets, and the mechanism has been restored to itsinitial condition shown in full line position in the drawings.

In order to provide positive checkin means upon the completionof'one'rotation o shaft -c, the escapement-like mechanism affords twoalternative stopping positions. Thus, upon referring to Fig. 11, it willbe seen that if the key is held in its fully depressed, or dotted lineposition,member (13 will be rotated against the side thereof just as themutilated section of gear 6" is disengaged from the actuating gear b. Ifthe key has been released, however, the angular terminal g is inposition to engage member (1, as shown by full lines, whereby, in eithercase, the shaft 0, with its attached members, is checked after onecomplete rotation, with the mechanism ready to be operated immediatelyanother key is depressed by the ticket seller.

VVhile'normally the motor a, Fig. 2, is continuously operated to driveshaft 1)" extending through any desired number of ticket deliveringsections, frequently there are intervals during which no tickets will besold. During such intervals, the controlling switch it may be left open,if desired, to avoid the slight expense for current and unnecessary wearof the mechanism. In order to start the motor, immediately a line ofcustomers forms at the ticket selling window, a foot-lever of switch hmay be depressed by the ticket seller for the purpose of switching themotor into circuit andrendering all of the sections potentiallyoperative.

Although said sections more commonly will be manned by a single operatoror ticket seller for each group, in order todcliver concurrently andwith extreme rapidity, varying requirements of ticket sales, it ispossible for two or more ticket sellers to be stationed at a group of myimproved ticket delivery sections for independently selling ticketstherefrom. This is entirely practicablebecause of the fact that thesections may be independently actuate-d as well as in any desiredgroupings without any possible interference or disablement of themechanism. In any case, the sequence of ticket deliveries is as rapidand accurate as the ticket seller or sellers are capable of. effecting.Normally, one complete cycle may be,completed by each section within theinterval of one second after a key is fully depressed. Of course, thisis more rapid operation than can be accommodated at the ticket sellingwindow.

I may now refer to some structural features and practical considerationsin further eX- p'lanation of my invention. Thus, referring again to Fig.5, itmay be explained that the ratchet-toothed gears I), b", preferablyare made from molybdenum-steel and the pitch of the teeth upon theformer is greater than that of the latter in order to facilitate themeshing of these gears immediately upon the starting of the latter bythe actuation of the master-key. The slightly flexible mounting of theformer contributes to this result so that the gears operate smoothly. v

It is important to observe that my improved mechanism, while capable ofextremely rapid and accurate operation, does not depend upon minutelyaccurate construction or clearances that are subject to impairment bywear and use. Instead, the interaction of the different members insuccession is accomplished without possibility of mechanical error, withthe expenditure of minimum power, with minimum wear, and certainty ofoperation. The depression of a plurality of keys, for example, willcause merely the delivery and registry of the minimum number of tickets.This results from the fact that the delivery movement is accomplished bythe backward actuation of the mechanism intermediately of the masterkeyand the delivery shaft, which concurrently restores the members to theirinitial position.' I consider this an important and distinctive featureof my invention.

The masterkey, in association with the escapement-like members upon thedriven shaft, serves in common any desired number of the plurality ofoperators keys required for the delivery of a ticket strip with thecorresponding number of coupons, and starts and stops the driven shaftupon the completion of one rotation. This, once initiated, is entirelyindependent of any depressed key, so that the speed of the mechanism isnot impaired by the delayed release of any key, while it is impossible,as already explained, for a duplicate delivery to occur.

The operator, merely by glancing at the depressed key which is held inthat position until the next key is depressedand then is automaticallyreleased, is afforded a visible check upon the instant sale of tickets,or group of tickets, so that the correct payment and change may beverified, or a mistake may be detected and corrected.

Brief reference may here be made to the novel form of severingmechanism, well shown in Fig. 10, and to the unique type of ticket stripshown in Fig. 12. It will be observed "that the elongated openings insaid strip are positioned transversely thereof so as to minimize thelength of out, while preserving the smooth and continuous outer edges ofthe strip. Said openings preferably are of short dimension, measuredlengthwise of the continuous strip, and serve to separate the ticketcoupons partially, as well as to fit upon the ribbed ticket--deliveryroll.

To insure an easy shearing cut for the severing mechanism, so thatminimum ower is required for the gradual operation 0 the cutter blade,that member is pivoted at a distance upon the right of the ticket stripand it is provided with two cutting sections upon each side of therecessspanning the delivery roll. This entails an arclike movement of thetwo-section blade, and the elongated opening transversely of the ticketstrip, being of greater width than the notch in the cutter blade,affords a previously-severed portion into 'which the transverse cuts ofthe pivoted two-section blade will merge as it is rotated past thestationary cutting edge.

Having now described the preferred em- .lng

bodiment of my invention and the typical operation thereof by way ofexplaining the principles and utility, I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, together With'such modifications as may bemade by those ordinarily skilledin the art, the follow- 1 In ticketissuing mechanism, the combination with manually-operable movementlimiting means for the ticket issuing mechanism, of an associatedmaster-key controlled by said limiting means and adapted to startandstop the actuating means, ticket issuing and severing mechanism, andinterposed actuating means for said mechanism, whereby ticket strips ofselected lengths may be successively delivered. l

2. In ticket issuing mechanism, the combination with manually-operablemovement limiting means for the ticket issuing mechanism having variablecontrolling positions, of an associated master-key controlled by saidlimiting means and adapted to start and stop the actuating means,ticket-issuing and severing mechanism, and interposed actuating meansfor said mechanism, rendered operable after control by said limitingmeans,

whereby ticket strips of variable lengths may be successively delivered.

3. In ticket issuing mechanism, the combination with manually-operablemovement limiting means for the ticket issuing mechanism having variablecontrolling positions, of an associated master-key controlled by saidlimiting means and adapted to start and stop the actuating means, anormally driven member, ticket issuing and severing mechanism adapted tobeintermittently actuated thereby, and interposed actuating means forsaid mechanism controlled by said masterkey and the limiting means,adapted operatively to connect the driven member and said mechanism,whereby ticket strips of variable lengths ma be successively delivered.

mechanism,the combination with manua ly-operable movement limiting meansfor the ticket issuing "mechanism having variable controllingpositions,-

of an associated master-key controlled by said. limiting means andadaptedto start and stop the actuating means, a normally driven by saidlimiting means, and interposed acmember, ticket issuing and severingmechanism adapted to be intermittently actuated thereby and renderedoperative after control tuating means for said mechanism controlled ;bysaid master-key adapted operatively to connect the driven member andsaid mechanism and to disconnect them after one COIH-y plete cycle.

5. In ticket issuing mechanism, the combination with a plurality ofmanually-op erable movement limiting keys for the ticket issuingmechanism, of an associated masterkey, a normally driven member, ticketissu- 3 ing and severing mechanism, and interposed actuating means forsaid mechanism, including an intermittently 'drivenmember, a controllingcam and an escapement actuated by the master-key to start and stop theoperation after one complete cycle.

6. In ticket issuing mechanism, the combination with a plurality ofmanually-operable movement limiting keys for the ticket issuingmechanism, of individual detent mechanism therefor, a master-keyassociated with the group of limiting keys, a normally driven member,ticket issuing and severing mechanism rendered operable only aftercontrol by one of the limiting keys, and interposed actuating means forsaid mechanism, including an intermittently co-acting driven member, acontrolling cam and an escapement from any controlling position, ticketissuing mechanism, actuating means for said mechanism including adriving member, and means interposed between said master-key andcontrolled thereby for intermittently connecting said ticket issuingmechanism with the driving mechanism and for disconnecting them afterone complete cycle.

8. In ticket issuing mechanism, the combination with a set ofalternatively operable movement limiting keys for the ticketissuing Imechanism, of an associated master-key, ticket issuing mechanism, anormally driven member, and actuating means for said mechanisminterposed between said mechanism and the master-key, including anintermittently co-acting driven member, a controlling cam andescapement, adapted to be started and stopped after one complete cycle,

as regulated .by any limiting key. a 9. In mechanism of the classdescribed, th

' combination with a normally driven gear, of

a co-acting mutilated gear, an associated 'escapement, and a controllingkey acting upon said escapement adapted to mesh the mutilated gear withthe driven gear and to check its rotation after one complete cycle.

10. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with-manually-operable limiting means, of an associated master-key, anormally driven gear and a co-acting mutilated gear normally at rest,and an'escapement mechanism interposed between the latter and saidmaster-key adapted to eflect the operative engagement of said gears forone complete cycle, and ticket issuing mechanism concurrently. actuatedthereby and controlled by said limitingmeans.

11. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a normallydriven gear and its co-acting mutilated driving gear respectively ofdifferent pitch, of a controlling key, and associated escapementmechanism normally checking said driving gear after each revolution, butpositioned to effect the meshing of said gears with each. actuation ofthe controlling key.-

12. In mechanism'of the class described, the combination with aticket-delivery roll, of ratchet mechanism connected to actuate saidroll in one direction, and a pinion mounted to rotate with the ratchet,a driving member engaging said pinion, and manually-operable movementlimiting means adapted variably to control the movement of said member.

13. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with arotatable deliverymember, ratchet mechanism connected to actuate to saidroll in one direction, and a pinion associated therewith for itsactuation, of a movable gear rotating said pinion, and manually-operablemovement limiting means adapted to regulate the amplitude of theoperative movement of said delivery-member whereby the delivery-membermay be variably actuated.

14. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a.rotatable delivery-member, ratchet mechanism and a pinion associatedtherewith for its actuation, of a movable gear rotating said pinion, aset of alterna tively operated limiting keys adapted variabl to controlthe movement of the gear, an means for actuating the delivery-memberupon the reverse movement of said gear after limitation thereof by anykey.

15. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with aplurality of ticket-issuing appliances, each comprising a set ofmovement-limiting keys for the ticket delivery mechanism, andindependently controlled delivery and severing mechanisms for thetickets of different classes, actuating means vfor said mechanisminterposed respectively between said keys andsaid mechanisms, and acommon motor device adapted to be concurrently connected for theindependent operation of a plurality of such ticket-issuing appliances.

16. In ticket delivery mechanism, the combination with a plurality ofmanually-operable movement-limiting keys for the ticketdeliverymechanism, of individual detent mechanism for the group of keys, amasterkey operatively associated with said group, a normally drivengear, ticket-delivery mechanism rendered operative only after control byone of the limiting keys, and interposed actuating means for saidmechanism, including a co-acting mutilated gear, a-controlling camrespectively for the delivery mechanism and the master-key, whereby thelatter is the combination with ticket-delivery means,

of ratchet mechanism connected to actuate the latter in one direction, apinion mounted upon its shaft, a drivin member engaging said pinionhaving a backward and forward movement, and manually-operable limitingmeans adapted variably to control the amplitude of movement of saiddriving member.

18. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with aticket-delivery mem ber of materially less width than the ticket strip,of associated cutting blades positioned on either side thereof, and amovable coacting cutting blade bridging said ticket-delivery member inits cutting position.

19. In "mechanism of the class described, the combination with a set ofticket-issuing keys, of a normall driven gear, a coacting mutilatedgear, an a master-key common to the set of ticket-issuing keys connectedto actuate the mutilated gear into operative rela tion with the drivengear.

20. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a drivengear, of a coacting mutilated gear, and a controlling master-keyconnected to impart an intitial impulse to the mutilated gear, and tocheck its rotation after one complete cycle.

In testimony whereof I do now afiix my sig nature.

